Curls under control!

Check these out - I've been looking for a couple of pretty, yet interesting, hair pins that don't make me look like a 12 year old(hmm, maybe that's not such a bad idea!) And these are perfect. I love this look. I have naturally curly hair that I smooth out(not straighten) but it's a bit of a chore to control the crazy side bits in the spring showers - I think these will be perfect. From Woodland Belle.

Vintage fashion find.

I went shopping this past weekend which, when you live in the middle of nowhere, requires some planning and research. I got a few nice things for fall/winter. One thing I noticed in the shops was lots of sweater dresses. Most were very baggy in thick ribbed polyester - yuck - very unflattering. then I saw this vintage one on Etsy and I thought why can't they make a sweater dress that's stylish, colourful and slim fitting? Like this one - a 1960s dress from Paris. It would look great with some black boots and a tight little black biker jacket - don't you think?

Found - Rockin B Clothing

I followed a link yesterday and found myself at Rockin B Clothing. At first I thought this was a vintage clothing store and then I realized these are all new and beautifully designed and constructed. They're so Patsy Cline meets Mad Men - I love them. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to fashion but when I see something like this I wish I was a whole bunch wilder. The details are wonderful - make sure you check the store for all their cool stuff - nice skirts too.

Found - pretty bird bag

Really loving this fun slouchy bag from Belloberry Designs. Such a practical shape to take to the market and gorgeous fabric designed by Etsuko Furuya.

Found - Viva Zapata

If I was going to The Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago, September 11th + 12th, I would head right over to Viva Zapata and pick myself up one of these fab bags. You really must check out their website. There's so much cool stuff including the intro which features images of the cool, vintage, South American pop culture that inspires their brand. I love this company, they have nailed their brand - their site is a brilliant example of a consistent product supporting a solid brand with a great story to back them up - you must go!

Found - Orangy Porangy

These skirts, featuring vintage fabrics are so sweet and beautifully made. You can admire more of these lovelies at Orangy Porangy's website - some people have such good ideas, don't they?

Found - Bravura

Love these great modern pouches with a rustic twist - love most things with birds. From Portland's own Bravura.

Found - Odd Molly

I love these woven belts/sashes from Odd Molly. If you don't know Odd Molly you need to check out her wares right now - very cute clothing and fab website. The embroidered details are second to none.

Inspiration

I don't know what's going on but suddenly everyone has become really good photographers - have you noticed that? Everyone's snapshots just got a whole lot better. Maybe it's because with our digital cameras we can take hundreds of pics and then choose just one perfect one - and then adjust it in Photoshop? Maybe - or maybe we are just more patient and creative - I like that option better! There is a collection of images on this Tumblr site that is so consistently beautiful it will make you very happy - go now - French Knot. Or just enjoy this selection . . . . .

Inspiration

There are some really inspiring and cheery pieces over at Loja de Estar. Everything from oil cloth bags to mexican blouses. if you are a fan of bright colours I think you'll like it there :-)

Inspiration | vintage photography

We have piles of vintage magazines in the studio and I troll through them all the time for inspiration when I am designing. I'm getting ready to design a new collection to go to print in May so I have my inspiration radar turned on all the time at the moment. Even just 15 minutes spent flipping through vintage fashion mags can really get my revved up with great colour combinations and composition ideas. These images are from here - I hope you like them as much as I do. The first 2 have the most dreamy colour palette and I love the way the bottom 3 are cropped.

Poppytalk | Chanel Couture

Did you see these a couple of weeks ago on Poppytalk? Giant paper flowers at Chanel Couture 2009 (funny, I wasn't invited!) I would have loved to have seen these wonderful decorations. Love the staircase.

Inspiration | Tinsel Trading Company.

I wanted to show you some pictures from the new Tinsel Trading Company. They have moved around the corner from their original location that they were in for, I think she said, 70 years. They still sell all the wonderful new and vintage trim, ribbon, fringes, buttons and bows that they are famous for. The store has less character than the original(it would be heard to recreate the atmosphere of the other store) but they still have great old fixtures, tables, cabinets etc. It is the vintage trim that catches my eye at Tinsel - some of the ribbon and trim that they have is as old as the dresses I posted yesterday from Sak's window - and indeed some of it could be the same trim used on those historical costumes. They are awfully kind and friendly in the store and they encourage you to take pictures and samples and open all the little drawers etc - love it. Enjoy . . . 

Next week I will have lots of street level pictures to show you - some of my favourite store fronts in the Village and Soho. So stay tuned.